Last Wednesday saw the premiere on cinema screens of the film that France is presenting as a candidate for the Oscars, A fuego lento (La passion de Dodin Bouffant), an authentic culinary, gastronomic and cinematographic delight.
After appearing in the Official Selection of the Cannes Festival, where its director Tran Anh Hung won the Best Director Award, and at the Telluride Festival, A fuego lento was the closing film of the Culinary Zinema Section of the San Sebastian Festival, where it won the Best Film Award.
This love story set in the world of French cuisine stars Juliette Binoche and three-time Cesar winner Benoît Magimel. The film features Pierre Gagnaire, 2015 World’s Best Chef, who orchestrates the stunning choreography of food, sound, textures and gestures.
The year is 1885. Peerless cook Eugénie has worked for the famous gourmet Dodin for the past 20 years. Over the years, their gastronomic practice and mutual admiration has developed into a romantic relationship. Their partnership has resulted in unique dishes, capable of satisfying the most demanding palates, but Eugénie values her freedom and has never wanted to marry Dodin. So he decides to do something he has never done before: cook for her.